Closure operating mechanism



May 21, 1946. H NORRIS 2,400,568

CLOSURE OPERATING MECHANI SM Filed April 2 1945 2- Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR.

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May 21, 1946. V. H. NORRIS CLOSURE OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Kpril 28,1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 li 20\ ,IS

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ATTORNEY (Kym/1.1L

Patented May 21, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE (Granted under the actof March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 10 Claims.

This invention relates to operating mechanisms for. closure devices andmore particularly to those of quick-action type for actuating covers forportholes and the like.

Portholes and other openings or conduits, such as ventilation pipes, areprovided ordinarily with pivoted closures adapted to be swung into andout of overlying closing relation to their openings. The closures arethen ordinarily frictionally secured or latched'in closed position bysuitable latching means. For portholes, the latching means sometimesincludes a lock ring 'rotatably surrounding each opening. and havinglugs adapted to coact with wedge or cam elements carried by the closureupon movement of said closure into closing position and rotation of thering. In the past, the closure has been swung into and out of closingposition by suitable operating means and other additional means separateand distinct from the operating means has been provided for actuatingthe lock ring so as to require the use of two hands or a pair ofseparate and distinct manipulations in closing and securing the closureas well as in unlatching and opening said closure.

The principal object of the present invention is, therefore, to providefor operating a closure device quickly and by a single continuousmanipulation thereof.

Other objects of the invention are to provide common actuating meansconnected both with a closure member for moving the same into and out ofoverlying closing relationto an opening and with latching means forsecuring the member in closing relation, whereby said member is swungand the latching means is actuated by manual movement of the actuatingmeans; to provide an improved operating mechanism for a closure devicehaving a closure member adapted to be swung into and out of overlyingclosing relation to an opening and a lock ring rotatably surrounding theopening so as to coact with the member and maintain the same in itsclosing relation, the mechanism having independent releasableconnections-With said member and ring for swinging the member androtating the'ring in sequence independently of and relative to eachother whereby either said member or said ring is operatively disengagedfrom said mechanism and remains stationary upon operation of the other;to provide an improved operating mechanism, of the character described,having an actuating shaft releasably connected to the closure member soas to be released therefrom upon rotation of the shaft and swinging ofsaid member into closing relation to the opening, said shaft having apin and .slot connection with the lock ring for rotating said ring intolatching position when the member is in its closed position, wherebysaid member is closed and latched by a single, continuous actuation ofthe shaft; and to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof inan operating mechanism for a closure device, of the character describedand for the purposesset forth.

In accomplishing these'and other objects of the invention, I haveprovidedimproveddetails of structure, the preferred form of which isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective View of a closure device, having an operatingmechanism embodying the features of the present invention, in itsclosed, unlatched position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of a portion of the closure device and itsoperating mechanism in the latched position of said device.

Fig. 3 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, taken on the line 3-3,Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a portion of the closure device in itslatched position.

Fig. 5 is a transverse, sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 61s a transverse, sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the operating lever and its guide.

Fig. 8 is aside elevational view of the cam sleeve of the operatingmechanism detached from its operating shaft.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

In Fig. 1, the numeral l designates the frame of the closure devicewhich iscustomarily employed for closing ventilation pipes (not shown)and which is adaptable for use in connection with other conduits oropenings, such as portholes. has a flattened lower portion 2 forreceiving and supporting an operating mechanism 3. I

An external, laterally outwardly-directed flange 3 surrounds theexternal'periphery' of the frame I at its inner marginal edge and is provided with a plurality of openings 5 to permit passage of fasteningdevices for securing said frame in place. The frame has a complementaryflat, base plate or sheet 6 disposed within and suitably fastened to itsinternal peripheral 'sur face at its outer marginal edge so as to extendparallel to the flange 4. As is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5, acircular opening 1 is formed substantially concentrically in the sheet 5and is The frame is-substantially annular anddistance apart.

adapted to receive an annular band or collar 8 which is suitably securedtherein. The collar has an outwardly directed, flat ring 9 connected toits outer marginal edge and the ring is disposed concentrically of saidcollar as well as parallel to the sheet 6. r

The opening 1 is adapted'to be closed by a circular closure member orplate l having an inverted Y-shaped yoke l I preferably made integralwith the internal surface thereof and having a pair of legs [2projecting or depending beyond the periphery of the plate I!) (Fig. 1).Cylindrical collars l3 are carried by the lower ends of the yoke legs l2so as to be disposed in spaced, axial alinement; the collars havingtheir bores extend,- ing at a tangent to the plate l0 and parallel tothe flattened portion of the frame.

For pivotally supporting the plate, the operate ing mechanism 3 isprovided with a cylindrical shaft [4 which extends longitudinally of theflattened frame portion 2 in parallel relationship thereto and whichrotatably and slidably engages within the collars l3. A bearing collaror bushing I5 is secured to the frame I adjacent its flattened portionfor receiving the outer portion of the shaft [4 and the inner oropposite end of said shaft is journaled within a suitable bearingbracket l6 projecting perpendicularly inwardly from said flattenedportion. The bushing 15 is contiguous to and terminates adjacentthe'righthand collar l3 (Figs. land 2). In order to pro.- vide sealingengagement between the plate ill and the collar 8 of the opening i, aperipheral groove or channel I! (Figs. 3 and 5) is formed in theexternal surface of said plate and receives an 7 annular, complementarypacking ring or element l8, of rubber, or other suitable material. Theinner marginal edge of the collar 8 projects inwardlybeyond the innersurface of the sheet 6 so as to be engaged bythe packing element I3 uponclosing of the plate l0. An annular locking member or ring 19concentrically surrounds the opening 1 and is provided with an external,radial flange 20 to permit fastening of the same to the inner surface ofthe sheet 6 by a plurality of suitable clips 2l- (Figs. 1, and 5), whichare preferably spaced an equal clockwise end portion of its inner flatsurface.

inclined or bevelled to provide a cam or wedge surface 24 (Fig. 6).Prior to latching of the plate, thelugs 22 are disposedcounter-clockwise of the wedge surfaces 24 (Fig. 1) whereby clockwiserotation of the locking ring moves the outer flat surfaces of said lugsinto engagement with and up said wedge surfaces (Figs. 4, 5 and 6).

'As shown in Fig. 1, the outer end of the shaft l4 projects through theframe I and has a suitable handle or lever 25 mounted thereupon .so asto permit manual movement of said shaft. For locking the lever 25inadjusted positions, an

arcuate guide 26 (Fig. 7) is welded or otherwise secured to the marginaledge of the flange l above said shaft l4 so as to be disposed betweensaid flange and the lever 25, The guide 2e'has I an opening 21 formed ineach end thereof and these openings are adapted to be engaged by alocking pin element 28, carried by the inner end plate Iii by rotationof the shaft M, a cam sleeve Due to this mounting of the locking ring,the same is rotatable about its axis and relative to the opening.Inwardly-directed,

. radial lugs 22 are formed on the locking ring for 3| (Fig. 8) is fixedto and movable with said shaft between the collars l3 by a pin 32 orother suitable means. The sleeve 3| is releasably connected to theright-hand collar (Fig. 1') by a clutch 33 which preferably includesa'lug 34 projecting fromlthe end of said sleeve and a complementarycoacting recess 35 formed in the adjacent end of said collar. As shown,one surface of the lug as and the coacting'wall of the recess 35 areinclined to. permit release of the clutch 33 upon clockwise rotation ofthe sleeve 3! (Fig. 3) relative to the collar 13. r p e For maintainingtheclutch engaged, a short screw or pin 3!; projects radially from thesleeve and coacts with an arcuateguide bracket 3? which is fastened tothe inner surface of the plate 3 andencircles the lower portion of saidsleeve (Fig. 3). So long as the pin 36 is in engagement with the bracket31, the lug 34 engages within the recess 35, whereby the closure platemay be pivoted or swung relative to the opening i by rotation of theshaft l4. Disengagernent or release of the clutch 33 occurs uponcontinued clockwise rotation of the sleeve relative to the collar I3after swinging of the plate to its closed position and suchdisengagement or release is accomplished by the inclined surface of thelug 34 and complementary wall of the recess 35 coacting to force saidsleeve longitudinally away from said collar. e

The bracket 37 extends at a right angle to the sleeve and has its upperend portion or surface 33 inclined laterally away from the coacting ventbinding therebetween upon longitudinal V movement and continued rotationof said sleeve.

For rotating the locking ring I!) so as to move its lugs 22 intofrictional engagement withthe wedge elements 23 of the closure plate andlatch the latter" in" its closed position upon further clockwiserotation of the sleeve 3!, a pin and slot connection is provided betweensaid ring and sleeve. 'As is clearly shown in Fig. 3, a lateral pin 43is suitably mounted on the locking ring and engages within a helical orspiral slot ll which is formed in the sleeve. The initial or right-handend portion of the slot M is straight and extends .ata right angle tothe .axis .of .the :sleevexas shown by the number42 (Figs; 2 and 8 topermit opening and closingpivotal swing-ing of. the closure platewithout rotation of the ring. Upon release of the clutch andlongitudinal sliding of the sleeve to the right, the engagement of thepin 40 within the initial slot portion .42 causes a slight clockwiserotation of the locking ring and continued clockwise rotation of saidsleeve (Fig. 3) moves said pin out of said'initial slot portion and intoengagement with the main portion of the slot 4|. Due to this engagement,the locking ring is rotated in a clockwise direction so as to revolveits lugs 22 into frictional engagement with the wedge elements 23 of theclosure plate and thereby latch the latter in its closed position.Unlatching and opening of the closure plate is accomplished by simplerotation of the sleeve 3| in a counter-clockwise or opposite direction(Fig. 3). It ispointed out that the initial slot portion 42 extendsthrough approximately 90 or one-quarter of the cam sleeve circumference,while the main portion of the slot 4! makes substantially an entirerevolution (Fig. 8). However, only one-quarter or 90 of this revolutionis utilized in latching the closure plate.

Operation The operation of a closure operating-mechanism constructed asdescribed is as follows:

When the closure plate I9 is in its open position, the pin 28 is engagedwithin the opening 2! formed in the forward or left-hand end of theguide 28 (Fig. '7) so as to maintain the lever 25 forward and said platein its open position. By loosening the pin zfi'and retracting the'samefrom the guide opening, the lever may be swung rearwardly (Fig. 1) or tothe right (Fig. '7) so as to rotate the shaft I4 and sleeve 3| in aclockwise direction (Fig. 3). Due to the provision of the clutch 33, thecollars ii! are rotated with the sleeve so as to swing or pivot the yokeI2 and the plate toward the opening 7 whereby the packing ring 58engages the collar 8. This pivotal movement of the plate withoutrotation of the locking ring it! is permitted by the pin 40 of said ringengaging within the initial portion 42 of the slot 42, while thecoaction of the sleevepin 36 with the bracket 3'! maintains the clutchengaged during such movement.

Upon continued clockwise rotation of the sleeve, the collars remainstationary and the inclined wall of the clutch recess 35 coacts with thecomplementary surface of the clutch lug '34 so as to force or slide saidsleeve longitudinally away from the right-hand collar and toward theleft-hand collar. The inclined surface '38 of the bracket 3! permitssuch longitudinal movement of the sleeve. Simultaneously with therelease of the clutch, the longitudinal sliding of the sleeve moves thering pin 40 to the left so as to rotate the locking ring IS in aclockwise direction and engage its lugs 22 with the wedge elements 23 ofthe closure plate. Further clockwise rotation of the sleeve causes thering pin 46 to travel through the spiral slot 4| so as to further rotatethe locking ring l9 in a clockwise direction and revolve its lugs 22into frictional engagement with the inclined surfaces 24 of the wedgeelements 23 (Fig. 2). This rotation continues until the aforesaidfrictional engagement forces the packing ring l8 into tight sealingcontact with the collar 8 (Fig. 3). In this position, the closure plateis latched in its closed position.

'Although not Qlustrated, the shaft I4 may be locked against rotation byengaging the pin 28 of the lever 25 in the rear opening 21 of the guide'26 (Fig. 8) and thereby positively assure the closureplate beingmaintained in its closed position.

. In order to unlatch and swing the plate to its open position, theoperation is exactly the reverse of the closing operation. The pin 28 isretracted and the lever 25 swung forwardly in one continuous motion soas to rotate the shaft [4 and its sleeve 31 in a counter-clockwisedirection (Fig. 3) and thereby rotate the locking ring in the samedirection (Fig. 2) by causing the ring pin 40 to travel through thespiral slot 4|. -Thus, the lugs 22 are moved out of engagement with thewedge elements 23 of the plate so as to unv latch the same.

Upon unlatching of the plate, the sleeve pin 36 moves into engagementwith the inclined sur face 38 of the bracket 31 so as to slide thesleeve 31 longitudinally toward the right-hand yoke collar l 3 andengage the clutch 33. At the same time, the ring pin 59 has travelled tothe forward end of the spiral slot so as to be disposed adjacent therear end of the initial slot portion 42 and, upon full engagement ofthe-sleeve pin with its coacting bracket and the clutch lug within theclutch recess,- engages within said initial slot portion. Thus,continued rotation of the sleeve by forward swinging of the lever 25results in rotation of the collars I3 and forward swinging of the yokeI2 and closure plate. The plate is secured in this position by engagingthe pin 28 within the opening 21 in the forward end of the guide 26.

From the foregoing, it is manifest that an improved operating mechanismhas been provided for rapidly closing and latching, or unlatching andopening, a closure device in a single, continuous motion, whereby theuse of only one hand is required and the necessity for more than oneoperating mechanism is obviated.

While I have shown but one embodiment of my invention, it is apparentthat the device is susceptible to modification without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. I do not Wish, therefore, to be limited bythe disclosures set forth, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government of the United States of America for governmental purposeswithout the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim: 7

1. An operating mechanism for a closure device having a closure plateadapted to be swung into and out of overlying closing relation to anopening, arcuate wedge elements projecting radially from the plate andhaving their external lateral surfaces tapered longitudinally, a yokefor supporting and swinging the plate and having a pair ofaxially-aligned spaced collars, an annular looking ring surrounding saidopening and rotatable about its axis, the ring having inwardly-directedradial lugs adapted to overlie and coact with the tapered surfaces ofthe wedge elements so as to latch said plate in its closed position, themechanism including, an operating shaft journaled in the yoke collarsand slidable longitudinally thereof, a cam sleeve secured to the shaftbetween said collars and having a circumferential slot formed therein,the slot having an initial short portion disposed at a right angle tothe airisof the sleeve and'a communicating spiral portion, a pin projecting laterally from the locking ring and engaging within said slot, aclutch connection between oneend of the sleeve and the adjacent collar,an

arcuate bracket disposed circumferentially'of said sleeve and having aninclined outer end portion, and a radial pin carried by the sleeveadjacent the bracket and coacting with said bracket for 'maintaining theclutch connection between said sleeve and collar, whereby initialrotation of the shaft rotates the sleeve and collars so as to swing theplate into overlying closing relation to the opening and causestheinitial portion of the slot to, revolve relative to the ring pin,continued rotation of said shaft and sleeve revolving the a sleeve pininto engagement with the inclined end 'as to move the lugs into latchingposition relative to the wedge elements of the plate. I

'2. An-operating mechanism for a closure device having a closure plateadapted to be swung .into and out of overlying closing relation to anopening, arcuate wedge elements projecting radially from the plate andhaving their external lat eral surfaces tapered longitudinally, a yokefor supporting and swinging the plate and having a pair ofaxially-aligned spaced collars, an annular able about its axis, the ringhavinginwardlydirected radial lugs adapted to overlie and coact with thetapered surfaces of the wedge elements so as to latch said plate in itsclosed position, the mechanism including, an operating shaft journaledin the yoke collars and slidable longitudinally thereof, a sleeve fixedto the shaft between said collars and movable with said shaft, a clutchconnection between the sleeve and one of the collars whereby rotation ofsaid shaft swings the plate into closing relation to the opening,coacting means associated with said sleeve for main; taining the clutchconnection during initial rotation of the shaft and permittingdisengagement of the same upon continued rotation and longitudinalsliding of said shaft, and a pin and slot connection between the sleeveand the locking ring for causing rotation of saidring upon such 1continued rotation of the shaft and sleeve subsequent to the closingmovement of said plate whereby the lugs of the ring move into latchingposition relative to the wedge elements of the plate.

3. An operating mechanism for a closure device having a closure plateadapted to be swung into and out of overlying closing relation to anopening, arcuate wedge elements projecting radially from the plate andhaving their external lateral surfaces tapered longitudinally, a yokefor supporting and swinging the plate and having'a pair ofaxially-aligned spaced collars, an annular locking ring surrounding saidopening androtatable about its axis, thering having inwardlydirectedradial lugs adapted to overlie and coact with the tapered surfaces ofthe wedge elements so as to latch said plate in its closed position, themechanism including, an operating shaft journaled in the yoke collarsand slidable longitudipermitting disengagement of the same uponconhaving a closure plate adapted to be swung into 7 7 locking ringsurrounding said opening and rotatnally thereof, a sleeve carried by theshaft and movable therewith, a clutch connecting the sleeve to one ofthe collars whereby initial rotation of said shaft in one directionswings the plate into its closing, position, coacting means associatedwith said sleeve for maintaining the clutch in enagement during initialrotation of the shaft and tinued rotation and longitudinal sliding ofsaid shaft, and a pin and'slot connection between the sleeve and lockingring for causingrotation of said ring upon such continued rotation ofthe shaft and sleeve subsequentto the closing movement of said platewhereby the lugs of the ring are moved into latching position relativeto th wedge elements of the plate.

4. 'An operating mechanism for a closure device and out of overlyingclosing relation to an opening, means connected to the plate forsupporting and swinging the same, cam means mounted on said plate, arotatable locking member surrounding the opening, the member havinglatchof, a sleeve fixed to the shaft so asto be movable V therewith, aclutch connecting the sleeve to said collar whereby initial rotation ofsaidshaft in one direction swings the plate 'into its'closing position,coacting means associated with said sleeve for maintaining the clutch inengagement during initial rotation of the shaft and permittingdisengagement of the, same upon continued rotation and longitudinalsliding of said shaft, and a pin and slot connection between the sleeveand locking member for causing rotation of said member upon suchcontinued rotation of the shaft and sleeve subsequent to the closingmovement of said plate whereby the lugs of the member are moved intolatching position relative to the wedge elements of the plate. 1

5. An operating mechanism for a closure device having a closure plateadapted to be swung into andcout of overlying closing relation to anopening, means connected to theplate for supporting and swinging thesame, cam means mounted on said plate, a rotatable locking membersurrounding the opening, the member having latching means for coactingwith the cammeans of the plate upon swinging of the latter to its closedposition and rotation of said member so as to latch said plate insuch'position, the mechanism shaft and permitting disengagement of saidclutch means upon continued rotation and longitudinal sliding of saidshaft, and a pin and slot connection between the sleeve and lockingmember, the slot having a spiral portion so, as to cause rotation ofsaid member upon such continued' rotation of the shaft subsequent to theclosing movement of said plate whereby the latching means of the ringare moved into coacting relation to the cam means of the plate, saidslot having an initial portion disposed in a single plane so as topermit the member to remain stationary upon initial rotation of theshaft.

6. An operating mechanism for a closure device having a closure plateadapted to be swung into and out of overlying closing relation to anopening, means connected to the plate for supporting and swinging thesame, cam means mounted on said plate, a rotatable locking membersurrounding the opening, the member having latching means for coactingwith the cam means of the plate upon swinging of the latter to itsclosed position and rotation of said member so as to latch said plate insuch position, the mechanism including, slidable means mounted so as toundergo rotation about its axis, means for releasably connecting theslidable means to the plate whereby said plate is swung by rotation ofsaid slidable means, means for maintaining the slidabie means connectedto the plate during swinging of the latter and permitting release ofsuch connection upon movement of said plate into its closed position,and a pin and slot connection between the locking member and slidablemeans for causing rotation of said member upon continued rotation ofsaid slidable means subsequent to the plate being moved into its closedposition whereby the latching means of the member are moved intolatching position relative to the cam means of said plate.

'7. In an apparatus of the character described, a member having anopening therein, a closure for the opening, means pivotally mounting theclosure on the member, operating means having releasable connection withsaid closure for pivoting the same relative to said opening, theconnection between the closure and operating means being released uponmovement of said closure into its closed position, and lock means forlatching the closure in its closed position and havin loose connectionwith said perating means so as to remain inoperative during pivoting ofsaid closure, the lock means being moved into latching position uponactuation of the operating means when the closure is in its closedposition and disconnected from said operating means.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, a member having anopening therein, a closure for the opening, means pivotally mounting theclosure on the member, operating means having releasable connection withsaid closure for pivoting the same relative to said opening, means formaintaining the operating means connected to the closure during pivotingthereof and permittingrelease of such connection upon movement of saidclosure into its closed position, and lock means for latching theclosure in its closed position and having loose connection with saidoperating means so as to be moved into latchin position upon actuationof the operating means when said closure is in its closed position anddisconnected from said operating means.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, a member having anopening therein, a closure for the opening, means pivotally mounting theclosure on the member, operating means having releasable connection withsaid closure for Divoting the same relative to said opening, theconnection between the closure and operating means being released uponmovement of said closure into its closed position, a locking member forlatching the closure in its closed position, and a pin and slotconnection between the lockin member and. operating means, whereby saidlooking member remains inoperative during pivoting of said closure andis moved into latching position upon actuation of said operating meanswhen the closure is in its closed position and disconnected from theoperating means.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a member having anopening therein, a closure for the opening, means pivotally mounting theclosure on the member, operating means having releasable connection withsaid closure for pivoting the same relative to said opening, theconnection between the closure and the operating means being releasedupon movement of said closure into its closed position, a lock ringsurrounding the opening and engageable with the closure for latching thesame in its closed position, and a pin and slot connection between thering and operating means whereby said ring remains inoperative duringpivoting of said closure and is moved into latching engagement with theclosure upon actuation of said operating means when said closure is inits closed position and disconnected from the operating means.

VICTOR H. NORRIS.

